Pacific Northwest Sportman’s Show

In just a few weeks I will be at the Pacific Northwest Sportman’s Show. Check the link for date, times and fees. The show usually has over 60,000 people walk through the doors. I hope to see many of you there. I will be offering a drawing for a free guide trip for 4 people. I will be located by the TROUT POND, where kids up to 12 can catch a nice trout for dinner. I will also be across from a concessions stand.

I anticipate 2009 will be a good year for my guide business. Most everyone will need an escape from the pressures this year will bring. What better way to relax then go fishing. I hope you are all enjoying my blogs. I am amazed at the number of people who read my blog on a weekly basis. Thank you for being a loyal reader.

Please drop me a line to let me know what you would like to know about. Do you want more techniques? More of my crazy & silly fishing stories, or do you want something more?

Ken bear Cole

FishingwithBear LLC

It’s time to save some fish!

The salmon runs have been diminishing over the past 20 years on the West Coast. Southern California runs are mostly gone. Northern California runs were so bad in 08, that many of the areas were shutdown to both commercial and sport fishermen.

Here in Oregon, the Department of Fish & Wildlife (ODFW), are planning to shut down Salmon fishing on the Willamette River for 09. The runs were low last year and are expected to be even lower this year.

I recommend that you contact your State politicians and bend their ears. Sport fishing pumps millions of dollars into local economies. Many people fish on their vacations. They stay in hotels and lodges, eat at local restaurants, buy gas, purchase fishing gear and local licenses. Some even hire a guide. Even though I do not guide for Salmon, I am concerned about the lack of action the regulating bodies are making.

It does not take a rocket scientist to determine that a net will capture many more fish then any sport fishermen. Nets also capture and kill many other fish which are not permitted. The commercial fishermen throw these fish back, but they often die because of damage caused by the net. Other Commercial fisheries have been forced to modify their fishing techniques. Swordfish are caught on individual hooks which are attached to a long line, which can reach over a mile.

I am a member of Coastal Conservation Association (CCA). This is an organization which, has the ability to flex some political muscle. I encourage all of you to join. An annual membership is only $25. They plan to become the NRA of fishing. They have already been successful in restoring the Redfish population in the Gulf of Mexico.

Every member counts chen you are talking to politicians.

Thanks for enduring my soapbox.

And remember, fishing helps keep you stress free!

Ken Bear Cole

Fishing with Bear LLC

The World’s Best Job!!!

Being able to turn a passion into a vocation is the dream of many. I am extremely fortunate to be able to take clients fishing. I love to see their excitement as a trout attacks their line. With pride, confidence and glee they sound off “FISH ON”! Others seem surprised, “OH MY. I THINK I HAVE A FISH”! I go to their side with net in hand. You see, I too, want to see the fish, but it’s their excitement, that makes me want to do this job. My job is all about having fun and allowing other to do the same.

I haven’t always been so fortunate. Not so many years ago, I lost my job. The economy was in a bad spot and construction was worse. I was an Estimator and Project Manager in the Electrical field. Even though I had sent resumes to many Electrical Contractors, it seemed they were not hiring. Most were cutting back on the office staff. I tried many creative ways to make a living during that time. I was able to pick up some consulting at times when a contractor was bidding a multi-million dollar electrical project. The money was wonderful, but the work was short lived. After nine months and close to one hundred resumes sent out, it was time to leave our apartment. Being a businessman, I did not want to inflict harm on my landlord. So when we were almost out of money and I had sold my boat for the previous months rent, we gave our 30-day notice. I remember the manager asking where we were moving. I replied, “I don’t know. We are going homeless”. They were shocked at my response. We had never missed paying the rent on time. A wonderful friend offered a room in their house to us, as we were packing most of our possessions in storage containers. My wife, our small dog and I headed off to the small town where they lived. We only brought the essentials, which would fit in our cars. We had no idea when we could afford a place of our own.

I finally received an appointment for a face, to face interview with a company in Sacramento, California. We had lived in California previously and did not enjoy the lifestyle. But it turned into a job offer. The company advanced me $3,000 as a six, month loan so we could afford to move and find an apartment. Within a week, I realized this company was less then ethical. I hated my job! But they were paying me well, so I kept my thoughts and feelings to myself and did the work.

I have not told you that story so you would feel sorry for me. We came out the other end as better people. We now have a nice home and a 22’ boat and I go fishing often. What could be better? But I hope you will think of my previous situation as you encounter people who have been shipwrecked by their current economic situation. I hope you will do what you can this holiday season, along with the rest of the year, to help someone. That person on the corner with the sign could have been me. A dollar hamburger could help at times. You see, it doesn’t take much to make a difference.

I hope everyone has a great Thanksgiving! And remember, Friday looks like a good day to go fishing!

By: Ken Bear Cole
Fishing with Bear LLC